Fertility Research 2023: What’s New and What You Need to Know

New studies reveal what truly helps fertility — from nutrition and awareness to emotional wellbeing.

For anyone on a fertility journey, the flood of information online can feel overwhelming. Between social media claims, supplements that promise the world, and well-meaning advice from friends and family, it’s hard to know what’s truly evidence-based.

The latest research in fertility care gives us both new insights and reassurance: some long-standing myths don’t hold up, while new studies shed light on lifestyle, nutrition, and emotional support. Here’s what you should know if you’re navigating fertility challenges.

Fertility Awareness Matters

One of the simplest yet most impactful tools is understanding your cycle. A Cochrane review in 2023 found that fertility awareness methods - whether through urine hormone strips, basal body temperature tracking, or cervical mucus observations - increase both pregnancy and live birth rates compared to no instructions (Gibbons, 2023).

Yet fewer than 13% of women can accurately predict ovulation on their own (Zinaman, 2012). Education matters - even a short video can help improve understanding, though long-term retention is limited (Pedro, 2022).

Takeaway: Learning to identify your fertile window can make a real difference. Apps and at-home ovulation kits are a good place to start, but having guidance from a health professional can boost your confidence and accuracy.

Nutrition and Lifestyle in Fertility

We often hear about what not to eat when trying to conceive. But what does the research say about dietary approaches?

• Mediterranean diet: A 2023 meta-analysis found potential benefits for fertility outcomes, though studies are still limited (Yang, 2023).

• Caffeine: Despite long-standing concerns, blood marker studies show no consistent link between caffeine

  and reduced fertility, though most guidelines still suggest keeping intake under 200 mg/day (Purdue-Smithe, 2022).

• Beet juice: A small study found that beet, watermelon, and ginger juice improved implantation and pregnancy rates in women undergoing ICSI (Halpern, 2023). While very intriguing, more research is needed before making it a standard recommendation.

• Lifestyle interventions before pregnancy: In a six-year follow-up, children born to mothers who had preconception lifestyle coaching showed better cardiac health (den Harink, 2022).

Takeaway: A balanced, nutrient-rich diet and healthy lifestyle support fertility for both parents, and may even have benefits for future children.

Emotional Wellbeing and Stress

Fertility care isn’t just physical. Studies show that anxiety, depression, and stress can impact the process, and getting the right support makes a big difference.

• Simple interventions: A short, scripted phone call from a doctor reduced anxiety during the stressful two-week wait in IVF (Shah, 2022).

• Coaching programs: Structured coaching lowered stress during retrieval and transfer (Soleimani, 2023).

• Self-compassion training: Meditation, journaling, and kindness-based practices reduced anxiety and improved fertility self-efficacy (Njogu, 2023).

Takeaway: Emotional support matters. Building resilience through self-care, counselling, or group programs can ease the fertility journey and help you feel more empowered.

Fertility, Hashimoto’s, and PCOS

Thyroid and metabolic conditions play a role in fertility too. Recent studies show:

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  Women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may have lower ovarian reserve, especially if thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are present (Hashimoto’s update, 2023).

• PCOS and homocysteine: Elevated follicular homocysteine is linked to lower egg quality and pregnancy rates. Supplementation with B vitamins, zinc, and folate improved outcomes in one pilot study (Kucuk, 2023).

Takeaway: Testing thyroid antibodies and supporting metabolic health are valuable steps in unexplained infertility and PCOS-related fertility challenges.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Fertility research is evolving, but one thing is clear: there is no one-size-fits-all path. What works for one person may not work for another.

If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed, you don’t have to navigate this alone.

🌸 Book an appointment with me, Dr. Catherine Rabo, ND. Together we can create a plan that addresses nutrition, lifestyle, emotional health, and your unique fertility challenges.

This article is for educational purposes only and is based on current research. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

References

Carrick, K., et al. (2023). Patient perceptions of fertility supplements: A survey on surrogate markers and live birth claims. Fertility and Sterility. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.04.019

den Harink, M., et al. (2022). Six-year follow-up of preconception lifestyle intervention and offspring health. Human Reproduction, 37(10), 2315–2324. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deac172

Gibbons, W., et al. (2023). Fertility awareness methods for timing intercourse: A Cochrane systematic review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1, CD013660. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013660.pub2

Halpern, A., et al. (2023). Effects of beet, watermelon, and ginger juice on implantation and pregnancy in ICSI patients: A randomized trial. Reproductive BioMedicine Online, 46(5), 1038–1047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.02.004

Kucuk, T., et al. (2023). Follicular homocysteine levels, supplementation, and fertility outcomes in PCOS. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 40(6), 1379–1388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-023-02940-7

Njogu, R., et al. (2023). Self-compassion interventions for women undergoing fertility treatment: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2023.2177809

Pedro, J., et al. (2022). Fertility awareness education using digital video interventions: Impact on knowledge and retention. Human Fertility, 25(4), 587–595. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2020.1792259

Purdue-Smithe, A., et al. (2022). Caffeine intake and fecundability: Prospective cohort with blood biomarker validation. American Journal of Epidemiology, 191(7), 1159–1170. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwac021

Shah, D., et al. (2022). Effects of supportive phone calls on anxiety during IVF waiting periods. Fertility and Sterility, 118(5), 924–931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.07.003

Soleimani, R., et al. (2023). Coaching programs to reduce stress in IVF patients: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 41(4), 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2022.2144983

Yang, J., et al. (2023). Mediterranean diet and fertility outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 15(7), 1504. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071504

Zinaman, M. J., et al. (2012). Accuracy of predicting ovulation and the fertile window. Fertility and Sterility, 97(2), 421–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.11.028